Marine light unit



ly 3, 1951 N. MICHELM'AN 2,558 870 MARINE LIGHT UNIT Filed Oct. 1, 19482 Sheets-Sheet l y 3, 1951 N. MICHELMAN I 2,558,870

MARINE LIGHT UNIT Filed Oct. 1, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 3,1951 UNITED' STATES OFFICE;

MARINE LIGHT'UNIT' Nathan Michelman, Brooklyn, N .Y.

Application October 1, 1948; Serial N 0.52240 9 Claims.

1 This invention relates to self-containedelectric lights and, moreparticularly, to an improved waterproof, original, automaticallylighting flashlight particularly designed for use in marine emergencies.

The flashlight of the present invention includes improved meanspermitting ready replacement of exhausted dry cells, while stillmaintaining a water-tight enclosure of the flashlight elements. Inparticular, the casing ofthe light is arranged to hold a large capacitydry cell, such asthe' No. 6 size, in such a position that the weight ofthe cell acts to hold the flashlight erect when. it is supported on thewater.

Novel means are providedfor readily connecting a new cell into the lampcircuit, and a shockresistant construction is provided toprevent damageto the components of the flashlight. Inparticular, an inner lamp,switchand cell sup-'- porting frame is resiliently and removablysupported within an outer, water-tight casing. The latter is of suchvolume that the contained air space, relative to the weight of thecomponents, is more than adequate -to afford buoyancy to the flashlightwhen the latter is water-borne. A mercury switch is provided 1 forautomatically closing'the lamp circuit when the flashlight is in theupright position, and means may be provided for attaching the light to alife-preserver, life raft, or the like.

Having in mind the foregoing, it is an object of this invention toprovide an improved buoyant, waterproof flashlight for use in marineemergencies.

Another object is to provide such a flashlight in which parts may bereadily replaced without damage to the waterproof construction;

A further object is to provide, in such a flashlight, an outer,water-tight casing having a large volume of free air space relative toits weight, to assure adequate buoyancy.

These, and other objects, advantages, and. novel features of theinvention, will be apparentfrom' the following description and theaccompanying drawings.

in the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation view showing the invention light in operativeposition and attached to a life preserver or the like.

Fig. 2 is an elevation view, partly in section,- showing the generalinterior arrangement of the flashlight.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, axial sectional view of the upper end of theflashlight.

Fig. 4 is a diametric sectional view, slightly en-' larged, on the line4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an axial sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 6 and '7 are axial sectional views on lines Ei-B and 'l'|,respectively of Fig. 2, illustrating a shock absorbing construction.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing a cellbeing removed orreplaced relative to an-interior frame of the flashlight- Fig. 9 is aperspective view of means for interlockingly engaging the cellterminals.

Fig. 10 is a schematic wiring diagram of the lamp energizing circuit.

Referring=to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the flashlight I5 is shown as providedwith a ring I6 having an attachment-loop I"! by means of which it can besecured-to a rope l8 on a life preserver or the like l9.- When floatingin the water, flashlight It assumes an upright position with its upperendprojectingabove the surface and lens 20 illuminated by a lamp 25energized from a battery 30 through a circuit controlled by a mercurylamp circuit when flashlight I5 is in the upright position;

Light I5 comprises an elongated, cylindrical, water-tight casing 2| openat its upper, or lens, end and closed at its opposite end by a cap 22brazed, welded, or otherwise sealingly secured to casing 2|. Casing 2|and cap 22 are made of a suitable material having high resistance to thecorrosive efiects of salt air or water. Except for a short distance nearits lens end, casing 2| is formed with longitudinal, inwardly projectingflutes 23 for a purpose to be described.

The outer end of easing 2| has a threaded ring 24 secured thereto, andof substantial thickness. An annular gasket 26 rests on ring 24 andprojects inwardly of casing 2| where it i engaged by a lamp supportingplate 27 of insulating material and forming the upper or outer crossmember of a removable inner frame 35. Lens 20 has a flange 28 overlyinggasket 26 and including a lens centering shoulder 29 fitting within thegasket 26. A bezel ring 3| overlies flange 28 and screws onto ring 24 tocompress gasket 26 against the upper or outer cross member 27 of frame35 and to form a tight closure for the casing 2|.

The removable frame 35 includes a pair of diametrically opposite,longitudinal metal strips 32, 32 which have flutes 33 interfitting withthe flutes 23 of easing 2| to restrain relative rotation of the casingand frame 35. ends of strips 32 have bent ears 34 bearing against ametal plate 33underlying plate 27. The assembly is held together bysuitable rivets or bolts .31. Plates 21 and 36 are centrally aperturedto receive lamp socket 38 which has a plate 39 secured thereto and toplate 2i; The lamp socket is thus in electrical connection with frame35.

The lower ends of strips 32 are secured to a plate 4| forming the loweror inner cross member of the frame 35, having a four-fingered spring 42(Fig. 6), riveted to its lower side and engaging cap 22. A resilient,four-fingered clip 43 (Fig. '7) is riveted to the upper side of plate 4|and grips the lower end of cell 30, which may be a No. 6 dry cell havinga center terminal 44 and a side terminal 46. A conductor 41 connectsterminal 46 to one terminal of mercury switch 40, which is .held uprightin a bracket 49 secured to a strip.32.

The upper A conductor 48 connects.

the other switch terminal to the center terminal of socket 38.

A metallic plate 50 (Fig. 9), forming the intermediate cross member ofthe frame 35, extends between strips 32 adjacent the upperend of battery36, and has upright flanges 5| secured to the strips, and a thirdupright flange 52. Plate 50 has an open ended slot 53 extendingperpendicular to flange 52 from one edge 5 of the plate to its center.Another plate 55 of insulating material, overlies and is secured toone-half of plate 58 and extends beyond edge 54. Plate 55 has an arcuatenotch 55 in itsedge 51, and an arcuate slot 58 extends inwardly fromedge 5?. Slot 58 has a radius equal to the radial spacing of batteryterminals 44 and 46, being takenon terminal 35 as a center.

As may be seen from Figs. 4, 5 and 8, the battery or cell 39 is placedin frame 35 by first tilting the battery relative to the frame to placeits bottom end into clips 43. Battery 30 is then swung inwardly with itsterminals aligned with slot 53 until center terminal as hits the end ofthe slot. The battery is then turned to swin side terminal it into slot58. Terminal 44 is tightened to make contact with plate 5%),the notch52% being large enough to receive the terminal cap.

The changing of cell 38 is accomplished with frame 35 removed fromcasing 21. Such removal is effected by unscrewing bezel ring 3!, takingoff lens 2i. and gasket 25, and withdrawing frame 35, including thelamp, battery and switch, from casing 21. When cell 38 is replaced,frame 35 is again slid into casing 2| and the lens assembly screwedtightly into place.

Above the battery 36, a bracket Bl on frame 35 holds a spare lamp bulbEli, and another bracket 62 may be provided to hold a glass jarcontaining a suitable moisture absorbing chemical, such as silica gel,for example. It will be noted, however, that a large volume of unfilledspace is provided in container 2! at its upper end and the entrapped airtherein is sufficient to ensure buoyancy for flashlight IS.

The described light thus provides a watertight assembly which isbuoyant, so as to float, and weighted by battery 35 to assume an uprightfloating position. The parts are easily assembled or disassembled byremoving the lens assembly and withdrawing frame 35. Spring 42 and clipit force frame 35 against gasket 25 to make a tight joint, and alsoabsorb any shocks on the flashlight.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the inventionprinciples, it will be understood that-the invention may be otherwiseembodied without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A self-contained light unit comprising, in combination, an elongatedwater-tight casing having a closed end; a frame slidably engaged withinsaid casing; longitudinally extending inter-engaging means along thelength of said casing and frame operable to permit axial slidablemovement between said casing and frame and effective to restrainrelative lateral movement at any point along the length of each thereof;electric current supply means and a lamp carried by said frame; acircuit controller carried by said frame and connected in circuit withsaid lamp and said current supply means; and water-tight means removablyclosing the opposite end of said casing and engaging the outer end ofsaid frame.

2. A self-contained light unit comprising, in combination, .an elongatedwater-tight casing having a closed end; a frame slidably engaged withinsaid casing; longitudinally extending inter-engaging means along thelength of said casing and frame operable to permit axial slidablemovement between said casing and frame and effective to restrainrelative lateral movement at any point along the length of each thereof;electric current supply means and a lamp carried by said frame; acircuit controller carried by said frame and connected in circuit withsaid lamp and said current supply means; and water-tight means removablyclosing the opposite end of said casing and engaging theouter end ofsaid frame; and resilient shock absorbing means disposed between theclosed end of said casing and the inner end of said frame.

3. A self-contained light unit comprising, in

I combination, an elongated cylindrical water-tight casing having aclosed end; an elongated frame engageable within said casing andincluding cliametrically opposite side members interconnected 1 at eachend by, respectively, outer and inner cross members; longitudinallyextending inter-engaging means along the length of said casing and saidframe side members operable to permit axial slidable movement betweensaid casing and frame and effective to restrain relative lateralmovement at any point along the length of each thereof; electric currentsupply means and a lamp carried by said frame; a circuit controllercarried by said frame and connected in circuit with said lamp and saidcurrent supply means; watertight means removably closing the oppositeend of said casing and engaging the outer cross member of said frame;and resilient shock absorbing means disposed between the closed end ofsaid casing and the inner cross member of said frame.

4. A self-contained light unit comprising, in combination, an elongatedcylindrical water-tight casing having longitudinally extending flutesand having a closed end; an elongated frame engageable within saidcasing and including diametrically opposite side members interconnectedat each end by, respectively, outer and inner cross members;longitudinally extending ribs on said frame side members slidablyinterfitting with said flutes to restrain relative rotation of saidcasing and said frame; electric current supply means and a lamp carriedby said frame; a circuit controller carried by said frame and connectedin circuit with said lamp and said current upply means; water-tightmeans removably closing the opposite end of said casing and engaging theouter cross member of said frame and resilient shock absorbing meansdisposed between the closed end of said casing and the inner crossmember of said frame.

5. A self-contained light unit comprising, in combination, an elongatedcylindrical water-tight casing having longitudinally extending flutesand having a closed end; an elongated frame engageable Within saidcasing and including diametrically opposite side members interconnectedat each end by, respectively, outer and inner cross members;longitudinally extending ribs on said frame side members slidablyinterfitting with said flutes to restrain relative rotation of saidcasing and said frame; electric current supply means and a lamp carriedby said frame; a circuit controller carried by said frame and connectedin circuit with said lamp and said current supply means;

water-tight means removably closing the opposite end of said casing andengaging the outer cross member of said frame and resilient shockabsorbing means disposed between the closed end of said casing and theinner cross member of said frame and resilient shock absorbing meanscarried by the inner cross member of said frame and engageable with theclosed end of said casing.

6. A self-contained buoyant light unit comprising, in combination, anelongated cylindrical water-tight casing having a closed end; anelongated frame engageable within said casing and includingdiametrically opposite side members interconnected at each end by,respectively, outer and inner cross members; longitudinally extendinginter-engaging means along the length of said casing and said frame sidemembers operable to permit axial slidable movement between said casingand frame and effective to restrain relative lateral movement at anypoint along the length of each thereof; a lamp carried by the outerframe cross member; an electric cell carried by the inner frame crossmember; a circuit controller carried by said frame and connected incircuit with said lamp and said cell; and water-tight lens meansremovably closing the opposite end of said casing and engaging the outercross member of said frame; said cell having a length considerably lessthan half the length of said casing whereby a relatively large air spaceis provided within said casing above said cell to insure buoyance of thelight unit and said cell acts to maintain the unit in an uprightposition when the unit is floating.

7. A self-contained buoyant light unit comprising, in combination, anelongated cylindrical water-tight casing having a closed end; anelongated frame engageable within said casing and includingdiametrically opposite side members interconnected at each end by,respectively, outer and inner cross members; longitudinally extendinginter-engaging means along the length of said casing and said frame sidemembers operable to permit axial slidable movement betweensaid casingand frame and effective to restrain relative lateral movement at anypoint along the length of each thereof; a lamp carried by the outerframe cross member; an electric cell carried by the inner frame crossmember; a circuit controller carried by said frame and connected incircuit with said lamp and said cell; and water-tight lens meansremovably closing the opposite end of said casing and engaging the outercross member of said frame; and resilient shock absorbing means carriedby the inner cross member of said frame and engageable with the closedend of said casing; said cell having a length considerably less thanhalf the length of said casing whereby a relatively large air space isprovided within said casing above said cell to insure buoyance of thelight unit and said cell acts to maintain the unit in an uprightposition when the unit is floating.

8. A self-contained buoyant light unit comprising, in combination, anelongated cylindrical water-tight casing having a closed end; anelongated frame engageable within said casing and includingdiametrically opposite side members interconnected at each end and at anintermediate portion by, respectively, outer, intermediate and innercross members; longitudinally extending inter-engaging means on saidcasing and said frame side members operable to permit axial slidablemovement between said casing and frame and effective to restrainrelative lateral movement thereof; a lamp carried by the outer framecross member; an electric cell arranged to have its lower end rest in aspring clip carried by the inner frame cross member; and having a pairof terminals on its upper end; the intermediate frame cross member beingspaced from the inner cross member a distance of the order of the lengthof said cell and said side frame members being laterally spaced thewidth of said cell; the intermediate frame cross member having slotsarranged to receive said terminals when said cell is canted into saidframe with the cell lower end resting in the spring clip; a circuitcontroller carried by said frame and connected in circuit with said lampand said cell; water-tight lens means removably closing the opposite endof said casing and engaging the outer cross member of said frame; andresilient shock absorbing means carried by the inner cross member ofsaid frame and engageable with the closed end of said casing.

9. A self-contained buoyant light unit comprising, in combination, anelongated cylindrical water-tight casing having a closed end; anelongated frame engageable within said casing and includingdiametrically opposite side members interconnected at each end and at anintermediate portion by, respectively, outer, intermediate and innercross members; longitudinally extending inter-engaging means on saidcasing and said frame side members operable to permit axial slidablemovement between said casing and frame and effective to restrainrelative lateral movement thereof; a lamp carried by the outer framecross member; a cylindrical electric cell arranged to have its lower endrest in a spring clip carried by the inner frame cross member and havinga central terminal on its upper end and a side terminal spaced laterallyfrom said central terminal; the intermediate frame cross member beingspaced from the inner cross member a distance of the order of the lengthof said cell and said side frame members being laterally spaced thewidth of said cell; the intermediate frame cross member having a radialslot arranged to receive said central terminal when said cell is cantedinto said frame with the cell lower end resting in the spring clip andan arcuate slot arranged to receive said side terminal when said cell isrotated when longitudinally aligned within said frame; a circuitcontroller carried by said frame and connected in circuit with said lampand said cell; water-tight lens means removably closing the opposite endof said casing and engaging the outer cross member of said frame; andresilient shock absorbing means carried by the inner cross member ofsaid frame and engageable with the closed end of said casing; said cellhaving a length considerably less than half the length of said casingwhereby a relatively large air space is provided within said casingabove said cell to insure buoyance of the light unit and said cell actsto maintain the unit in an upright position when the unit is floating.

NATHAN MICHELMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,355,013 Rochestie Aug. 1, 19442,377,161 Strange et al May 29, 1945 2,381,520 Saunders Aug. 7, 19452,389,266 Marr Nov. 20, 1945 2,404,681 Baack July 23, 1946

